Help from the workroom! - Remember to look after your machine!

·        Always ensure that you have the correct needle for the fabric and thread you are using.

·        Change your needle after every project, a blunt needle can put extra pressure on your machine if using heavy fabrics and will push lint in to your machine with every stitch.

·        Before packing your machine away, or once a week if your machine has a lot of use. Remove the bobbin case and remove any fluff and lint with a small brush or a cotton bud and use a vacuum nozzle to suck up the fluff or a can of air to blow fluff away.

·        Oil your machine if required. Not all new machines need oiling. Take a look at your maintenance guide and remember to place a piece of cloth under the pressure foot to mop up any excess oil while it is not in use.

·        Cover your machine when not in use. They are dust magnets!

Garden Inspiration

With all the extra watering the garden has had this year, it is looking fabulous!! So tall, vibrant and with the late start it seems that everything is flowering much more closely!

All of the Irises came out together, what a wonderful sight, and instead of the normal steady progression with small breathing spaces for tidying up the borders. The Lupins, Foxgloves and Roses have joined them.

My garden usually changes colour gradually from early Spring, from Snowdrops, Daphne Odera and White Honestey, Bluebells and Forget me Nots, Irises then my beautiful blush pink Roses, Cecille Brunner, New dawn and wonderful Margaret Merrill.

All of this stunning beauty is great inspiration for Embroideries, Appliques and Quilts. Think of Kaffe Fassett and Jane Brocket's amazing vibrant quilts, bursting with colour themes taken from flowers and gardens. Imagine turning your photgraphs, sketches and paintings in to French Nots, Satin and Laisy Daisy stitch.

Start looking at your garden for visual inspiration, keep your camera or a sketch book handy it won't be there for long but it will be back again next year!